Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Christmases Past

Edit: How could I forget 2007???


I am on my third try of getting Christmas card pictures of my two children. Who would have known this could be SO hard??? Ha! It got me thinking about the Christmas cards we have had in the past, so I got them out to look at them. I had the best time looking at my babies. My how they have grown!

2002 - Evan was 9 months old. This was the rocking truck from his nursery. I just love this picture. Little nubbins!


2003 - This was our first try at a professional Christmas card. Evan was scared of the polar bear in the background scene, so all she could get was an action shot. He still looks cute as a bug!


2004 - This is my all time favorite picture I have ever snapped of Evan. He is almost three. This was taken before we had a digital camera. This was the 24th shot on a 24 exposure roll of film! I adore this picture and have it framed and in my kitchen so I can look at it all the time.


2005 - One of my favorite photographers took these shots. I ordered all of the pictures she took from this session I think. :)


2006 - This card is bittersweet to me. We had this taken when Ella Grace was two weeks old to the day and the day before Derek was to return to Iraq. We decided to do this on the spur of the moment. I really wasn't thrilled about having my picture made post-maternity, all chubby and swollen, but I am so glad now that we did it. I wouldn't take a million dollars for this picture now. We were so happy together. I LOVED those little ballet shoes Ella is wearing. So sweet. I had the photographer add the words at the bottom.


Edit: 2007 - Derek's first Christmas home from Iraq and his first Christmas ever with Ella Grace. It was a wonderful time.


Well, I'm off to try again. Now, I'm remembering why it is best to go to a professional. My children do much better for them. It's like they know Momma just wants the perfect picture and they are in cahoots to not let it happen. Hee hee hee! Wish me luck!

25 comments:

Betsy said...

I feel your pain! I never could get a good picture of four kids at the same time! Not even professional ones! I loved looking at all your cards through the years. You do the same kind I do. I love the ones that are a picture made into a card.

I know you couldn't ask for a better gift than to have Derek home and your whole family together for Christmas!

Kelly said...

I always LOVE your Christmas cards! I'm sure you will get a cute picture of E&E! No matter what they are doing - they are SOOOO cute - so don't worry!

Anonymous said...

I totally understand! I am about to try for a third time with my kiddos tomorrow. Your previous cards are awesome!

tondays said...

the 2004 of Evan is my all time favorite of him - i still have that one & will keep it forever!!! I also loved the next 2 - actually I love them all, but the ones from 04 forward are the ones i have received.

Good Luck getting a picture, I know it will be beautiful no matter what!!!

Amanda Ledford said...

I am so glad you did that post! It was so fun seeing the Horton Christmas cards from years past!!!! My favorite has to be the one from 2006. How wonderful!

Becky said...

I love all your cards, especially the last one. And I really like the wording on the last one. AAH!! Good luck on getting that perfect shot!

Jacquie said...

Oh, I enjoyed this post!! Those are just about the cutest Christmas cards I've ever seen. I got choked up when I saw/read the 2006 card... especially knowing Derek was about to leave! Precious, I say, precious!

Judging from the past cards... you'll have a great 2008 card as well.

The Garners said...

GOOD LUCK! I'm going to tackle this task on Friday! If you haven't made a picture that you like by then, maybe we should meet up and try to photograph each others' children--they might do better for a stranger, like you said of the professional photographer!? I think I took over 200 pics last year to get one or two good ones...thank goodness for digital!

ALL your Christmas cards shown here have been beautiful, by the way!!!!

Meredith said...

Oh Leigh Ann! Your Christmas cards are just soooo very sweet and SO special! I love all of them but my favorite is the one when EG was 2 weeks old. Precious. And I am so sure that your Christmas card will be even better this year! :)

Traci said...

I wrote about the same thing today! Weird! Its on my sweet cheeky designs blog.

Riley is doing GREAT in school! Thanks for asking. If we can just get over all of our sickness! Otherwise we LOVE NW Arkansas!! :)

Candy said...

What a fun idea to look back at your old Christmas cards! I love seeing all the old pics and how E & E have grown so much! :) Your kids are adorable and I'm sure any pic you can get of them this year will make a beautiful card! :)

Angela said...

Awww, I love you walk down memory lane. You've had some beautiful Christmas cards and I always love seeing pictures of our babies when they were little.

I especially like the one when EG was a newborn. So sweet!

Megan L Hutchings said...

I totally understand ;)! We try to get a good pick of the three of us and at this age Vance would rather look at everything around him...LOL!

I love the one of the four of you...very touching!

Julie said...

I loved looking over your cards. You have such a beautiful family. And you looked good in that post-maternity picture! My cousin Whitney experienced close to the same thing in September with pictures!

Bryan and I just finished taking pictures at home for our cards. We are adults and it was hard. I think took pictures at least 15 times!

Lindsey said...

Love all the pictures!!! And I am so lovin' your new bloggy layout!

Givens-Craig Family said...

I think it is a conspiracy with all the kids this year. Hayden is so fun to take photos of - usually. Took him to the Old Mill for Christmas photos yesterday and there is only one to describe what I went through -- ARGH!! Good luck with yours. I bet you get a good one with your beautiful children.

Meagan said...

As I read this post I keps thinking, "that one is my favorite," and then I would get to the next, "no that one's my fav," and then to the next! Every last one of them is precious!!!! You have done a GREAT job picking pictures for your cards and I have NO DOUBT that this year will be no different! ;-)

Betsy said...

Leigh Ann-
I sent you an e-mail, but I'm not sure if you got it or not. Could you e-mail me at betsy_maddox@yahoo.com so I can ask you something?

Thanks, Leigh Ann!!

His Doorkeeper said...

Wow! Leigh Ann, i believe you have had the cutest Christmas cards ever!

All were wonderful! You have a truly photogenic family!

Scrapper Mom said...

Those are beautiful. Can't wait to see this years!

Anonymous said...

I know exactly what you mean!! I'm all about the Christmas Card! Your past Christmas Cards are SO sweet, and I agree that is the most adorable picture of Evan!!

LOVE YOU A GOOGLE... said...

Aww! I remember all those cards! I remember getting the 2006 card in the mail and I just cried when I read the bottom! Great job adding that one there! I could not imagine being as strong as you were that year. Then looking at 2007 it made me happy again! Derek at home like he should be! :) Can't wait to see this years card, I am sure it will be beautiful just like all the others.

Melissa said...

Love the look at the older cards. They were so cute...such great memories or your family. I feel your pain, getting two to pose is so hard. We did get lucky on the last day of our trip and got a card worthy pic. I will hopefully get my blog updated by the week end, after getting to all the laundry. I know this years card will be just as nice for you as the pasy years. Can't wait to see it!

Lauren said...

The card of two-week-old EG made me cry. So sweet. I'm so glad Derek is home with you now!

In His Army said...

I've had a time this year tyring to get photos of the two. Jeryn is SO hard to photograph because I rarely catch him looking. I love all the past cards though--so fun! I'm glad you posted them!